The Pedagogical Models in Distance Education, the Case of

PayamNoorUniversity of Iran (PNU)

Zahra Govahi

PayamNoorUniversity,

Mashhad-Iran.

E-mail;

Abstract

This paper attempts to show the quantity and quality of distance learning tools such as print books, notebooks, E-books and other educational multi- media equipments and so on which help us to achieve equation and liberation in education and training for all people in Iran.. It is necessary to state that the majority of population in Iran are very young .Every year a huge number –more than one and half million students -take part in an educational competition which is done as overall entrance university examination (conquer) , but unfortunately, a minority of them will be successful to obtain the appropriate academic values to be qualified to study at face to face universities of Iran. Consequently, the distance Education University of Iran due to its particular methods and its flexible education, is able to register so many Iranian students who are not able to study in conventional universities. This paper tries to discus the main goals of PayamNoorUniversity to meet the educational equations for all people regardless of their ages, gentles, jobs, places and so on. This paper will also mention the different educational methods in distance education of PNU.

Key words:Distance Learning, Equation, Pedagogical, Methods, PNU

In the name of God

Introduction With the growth of population in developing countries including Iran, during the last 3 decades the number of universities and other institutes of higher education in our country has always been less than the demand. It was not until recently that the number of universities in the country was so few that only some big state centers have a university.

Iran is a big and potential country with near 70 millions of populations. Half of this number is young and teen agars. The main aim of the Iranian high school students is to follow their higher education. However, according to Islam; "learning is the most duty for every body to attain".

Every year more than one and half million high school applicants take part in the National University Entrance Examination, but only a minority of them can be successful to register at conventional universities. As a result the majority of them fall in the exam andthey have no chance to enter the universities.

So, they are sad and depressed orin a few cases they commit suicide. The present conventional universities have various limitations to register all of them. Fist, I will introduce PNU and its important role in development of the distance education in learning for most of the deprived students in Iran. As a result, a great number of interested students will be able to further their higher education due to the flexible methods at university.

In spite of expansion of high education in Iranafter Islamic Revolution,the traditional universities aren't sufficientfor all of the Iranian applicants. In this connection it seems that the establishment of a new system in learning and an exclusive university has been a priority need in Iran. In last twenty years,PNU – the only Open University in Iran – could help many of these interested young students to follow their higher education throughout the country especially one of the distinguished of PNU is the location of it's units in remote places of the country. No more than 15 years ago, entering in university centers for a large number of population in the marginal areas was a dream. But today many men and women from rural places are studying inPNU study centers.

This learning system is able to open the door for employees and unemployed as well , housewives , old and young people, and students in deprived and remote cities and also those students who study abroad but would prefer to continue their studies in their own country.

This system is available even for prisoners who are in prison. However, this can be a suitable way to improve the prisoners morally and intellectually.

The aim which PNU has followed is to obtain an equal chance for every body and liberation in learning for every group of society.

An Introduction to PNU

Terminologically, Payam Noor means; “ the message of light “ , because according the Islamic structures ; learning is called “light” and distance education send the message of learning in all places. One of the old tradition in Islamic countries is the sacred aspect of knowledge,teachimg and teacher,so valuable in the beliefs of Iranian students.

PNU is a state distance education university with the head quarters in Tehranwith 10 regional centers and near300 studycenters all over the country. There is also one international study center established in 1987. The university is legal body under the ministry of science,research, and technology.

The nature and scale of its operation make PNU the most flexible and cost-effective higher education institution in Iran. It is also the largest state university in terms of student number and coverage.

In 2006, the university enrolled about 460,000 students in 74 degree programs at 270 study centers and unites and it will reach to more 700,000students, near 40 centers and unites in 2007.

The main objectives of PNU:

Beside the maintained aims,there are otherobjectives:

  • Cooperating for the popularization of higher education and promoting the scientific and cultural levels of society.
  • Reducing the constrains and providing possibilities for continuing education at the tertiary level.
  • Providing the basis for the use of potential possibilities that have been ignored in conventional education system.
  • Providing a part of society’s skilled manpower.
  • Facilitating the expansion of knowledge boundaries and creation of science.
  • Collaboration on resolving social issues. Programs: A glance at the teaching programs of PNU reveals that this university as well as other universities follows the same programs. This means that PNU has aimed at teaching the students through unapplied programs and is content with increasing the number of student. The result of this system ultimately leads to inflation of unemployed students who have no knowledge and experience to use their physical and human potentials in different region of the country and are only suitable as employee in offices or as teachers of primary or secondary schools.

Also many of the students who were not born in large cities, after finishing their teaching courses, return to their birth places, but find no jobs to try their chances somewhere.

To put end to this situation .changing present program of PNU is a real need must be put under attention.For creation of new programs, some basic characteristics as following must be considered.:

_Since different regions and places have special materials and potentials, then to make use of them related programs must be planned.

_For those regions having paddy fields or animal products the content of programs must be in connection with related jobs. and so on.

How could PNUreach these objectives and programs? :

PNU with various types of degree programs could service to all students with different conditions and desires:

A-Regular degree programs:

These programs are offered to those who pass the national university entrance examination held annually by the national educational assessment organization.

The system of instruction is based on several media, the most important of which is self-study textbook developed for in depended study. Almost all courses hold a limited number of tutorials during each semester.

Each academic year in Iran includes two semesters (autumn and spring) with total of 18 weeks. A credit system is based on one credit for every 18 hours of teaching and examination per semester. A total of 132 -141 credits are required for a bachelor’s degree.

B-Encompassing degree programs:

This type pf degree is well-known and favorite in society. In 1994 , these programs were first launched at bachelor’s degree , but are now on offer at all degree levels ( M.A. , M.S. and Ph.D) .

Applicants of bachelor’s degrees are required to be secondary school graduates with an acceptable grade point average (GPA) in their written examinations. The GPA is specified by PNU annually . One important change in admission policy is that applicants no longer need to attend the national university entrance examination.

This policy of admission is the first in the history of conditionally for one semester. If they succeed in the final examination of the first semester, they will be able to continue their studies;otherwise, they will be with drawn. Unlike the regular programs, group tutorials are not included in these programs. They can borrow audio and video cassettes and Cd’s from the study center or watch educational TV programs.

However , the average of all scores in the first semester should not be less that 12 ( 60 % ) , these students have to pay for the services which they receive , so , if they succeed can attach to regular student and use all of their privileges just with higher fee .

C-Virtual learning degree:

Virtual learning and e-learning is established in PNU for up-to-date. The system of teaching and cover interested applicants . This program is presented under the web and ICDL in address : http :// daneshestan. pun .ac.ir.

All of applicant throughout the country are required choose a PNU center for final examination, all courses will be presented by CD form and web. Other condition for entrance to high education is such asmaintainedabove.

D-T.V program degree:

In this type of learning, applicants choose courses and certain which want and learn by watch educational TV programs broadcast on canal 7 of IRI broadcasting network and in the end of semester they should examine in chosen center by the maintained condition of average of scores and others.

E-Proceeding programs:

This type of program is for all of secondary students with 11 years education (notdiploma) in professional and technological centers.

They should pass two part of degree. If they succeed in the first (AssociateDegree) they can continue in part two (Bachelor’s Degree)

F-Overseas degree programs:

The international study center offers the encompassing program of PNU to Iranian nationals residing abroad as well people of other nationalities. These programs are correspondence courses , which heavily relay textbook . The language of instruction is Persian .

Degree levels:

  • Associate degree
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Master’s degree
  • Ph.D. degree

All of these are possible by various types of regular and encompassing degree programs and other types explained before.

Basic faculties and departments are:

  • Faculty of basic sciences by more than 10 departments.
  • Faculty of humanities: by near 15 departments.

The university has established the following faculties recently.

  • Faculty of agricultural sciences.
  • Faculty of engineering.
  • Faculty of theology and Islamic sciences.
  • Faculty of information technology.

Conclusion: After introduction of PNU,it is revealed that this system of education is the best pedagogical model and good chance to help to most of interested students ,also for establishment justice and liberty in attain to high education. Iran's distant education system, that is PNUis mainly print-based system in which self-study textbooks comprise the main medium of instruction so the students rely on them which play the double role of a textbooks and that of a teaches and they have limited to learning face to face . Also multimedia, internet and E- books cause these student stay at home and pass the stage of their graduation. This quality of learning distinguish PNU from another universities and make it able to serve to students throughout the country .Especially the various types of teaching and programs are high advantages for PNU . As result ,this university could be a good example and model for other open universities.

References:

_Cotteral,S.1995."developing a course strategy for learner autonomy"ELT Jurnal49/3:219 Innovation in distance and open Learning ,10thAnnual Conference ,Proceeding Tehran,Iran

_Payam NoorUniversity,prospectus2006,preparedby International office.PNU2006

-Zohoor,H(1992).The role of PayamNoorUniversityin Promoting Education in Iran,AAOU Conference Proceeding ,Korea

_Website::

References:

1-Web site :

2-Payam Noor University, prospectus 2006, prepared by international office , PNU .2006.